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Difference between revisions of "PCGamingWiki:Taxonomy"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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===Monetization===
 
===Monetization===
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{{Taxonomy table|monetization}}
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! scope="col" width="12%" | Category
 
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{{Taxonomy row|Ad-supported}}
 
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{{Taxonomy row|DLC}}
 
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{{Taxonomy row|Expansion pack}}
 
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{{Taxonomy row|Freeware}}
 
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{{Taxonomy row|Free-to-play}}
 
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{{Taxonomy row|Sponsored}}
 
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{{Taxonomy row|Subscription}}
 
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===Microtransactions===
 
===Microtransactions===

Revision as of 17:03, 4 May 2020

Taxonomy is a project on PCGamingWiki to categorise every game on the wiki.

Contact:

  • Andytizer is leading this project. To discuss further please visit our Discord on the #projects channel.
  • This space is not protected, please feel free to add your input or discuss how you think each taxonomy category should be developed.

Notes:

Templates:

Instructions

April 29, 2020

{{Monetization
|ad-supported        = 
|freeware            =
|free-to-play        = 
|sponsored           = 
|subscription        = 
}}
{{Microtransactions
|boost               = 
|cosmetic            =
|currency            = 
|finite spend        =
|infinite spend      = 
|free-to-grind       = 
|loot box            = 
|none                =
|player trading      =
|time-limited        =
|unlock              =
}}

April 20, 2020

  • Changed pay-to-skip category to free-to-grind.
  • Added new Sponsored monetization category.

April 18, 2020

April 14, 2020

  • Series, Monetization and Microtransactions rows now enabled, do not add any other rows yet.
  • Taxonomy appears below Reception in the {{Infobox game}}.
  • {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series | Deus Ex }} replaces the {{Series}} box template. Series should be placed as the last row in the new |taxonomy= field. Multiple series can be entered from smallest to greatest series. Delete the old {{Series}} box.
  • Optional reference area.
  • Code to be entered in comma separated values alphabetically:
|taxonomy     =
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | ad-supported, dlc, expansion pack, freeware, free-to-play, sponsored, subscription | ref= }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | boost, cosmetic, currency, finite cap, free-to-grind, infinite cap, loot box, none, player trading, unlock | ref= }}
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Deus Ex, Final Fantasy }}

Taxonomy

Monetization

Reference, Video game monetization.
Categories are originally based on MicroTransaction Zone and their useful tags.

Monetization

Category Definition Notes Examples
Ad-supported Monetized through advertisements which do not form natural part of the game, e.g. watching a video before playing, on-screen launcher ads, ads in the in-game menu system, etc.
  • Does not include games that advertise their own microtransactions.
  • NBA 2K20 video advertisements before playing a match.
Cross-game bonus Games that encourage buying other games, which'd unlock bonus items like (but not limited to) items, cosmetics, extra currency, unique dialogues, or other features, be they exclusive or not.
  • Old Save Bonus - TV Tropes
  • Multiplatform games with known cross-game bonuses on consoles, may not always support it on PC as well.
DLC For the purposes of PCGamingWiki's taxonomy, 'DLC' specifically refers to medium size chunks of additional game content such as maps, levels, quests, new gameplay mechanics etc. that is normally created in addition to the game, paid for and downloaded, but less substantial than an 'expansion pack'.
  • This category could be called 'Extra gameplay', but DLC is a much more familiar term to most gamers.
  • Soundtracks do not constitute additional in-game content and should not be covered as part of this category.
  • Mass Effect 2's 'Lair of the Shadow Broker' is a purchaseable story mission with voice acting and new gameplay mechanics.
  • NieR: Automata's '3C3C1D119440927' includes three new battle arenas, three new outfits, as well as a new short side-storyline.
Expansion pack Game content which can extend the percentage of playtime substantially. Including and not limited to: large story campaigns, a large number of new maps or levels, expanded gameplay, etc.
  • As a rule of thumb PCGamingWiki considers individual DLCs or bundles of DLCs in packs that extend the playtime of the main game 'substantially' or by 40% or more as appropriate for this category.
  • In pre-digital distribution age, expansion packs were separate boxed products that may or may not require the original game to install and run.
  • XCOM: Enemy Unknown's expansion is XCOM: Enemy Within, which substantially adds new content and gameplay mechanics.
  • Borderlands 3's multiple DLCs contain substantial new campaigns which are each individually large enough to constitute an expansion pack
Free-to-play Free-to-play or F2P games give players access to a significant portion of their content without paying. They might include an optional subscription, or are supported by expansion packs, DLCs, microtransactions, or advertisements.
Freeware Games that are completely free to own in their entirety.
One-time game purchase Games which requires an upfront purchase to access.
  • This is the base monetization used for most games and is in modern times often combined with additional monetization.
  • This is in contrast with Freeware and Free-to-play where the game can be accessed without a purchase.
Sponsored Sponsored content is a type of in-game advertising that forms part of the natural game experience.
  • In-game content that game developers have licensed for use from a third-party company (e.g. music, cars, etc) is not necessarily the same as that content having been "sponsored" by the third-party company. There is a fine line separating licensed content from sponsored content, and whether content is one or the other may not be obvious from the perspective of an outsider.
  • Final Fantasy XV has a quest called The Perfect Cup which features Nissin Cup Noodles which is sponsored content that is part of the 'natural' game world.[1]
  • PC Building Simulator features real world products from companies such as Intel and AMD that are used in-game.
Subscription Game may require continuous subscription payment from a player, or a subscription offers premium features.
  • This is distinct from subscription services which allow access to multiple games, for example EA Play.
  • World of Warcraft requires a subscription in order to play the game beyond level 20.
  • Fallout 76's subscription Fallout 1st is not required to play the full game, but offers premium features like private servers, unlocks, currency, cosmetics, etc.
Subscription gaming service Game is included in a collection of games accessible as part of a monthly video game subscription service such as EA Play or Xbox Game Pass.
  • This is distinct from regular game specific subscription services which may require payment from a player to continue to play the game (e.g. MMOs), or offer premium features to the player.
  • If the subscriber cancels their subscription plan, access to the included games are revoked unless they have been bought separately.
  • So called "monthly bundles" subscriptions that grants the subscriber permanent access to games are not included here (e.g. Amazon Prime Gaming, Humble Choice, etc).

Microtransactions

Unused
Category Definition Examples Notes
Limited use items Purchaseable items that have a limited number of uses or may expire.
Physical DLC Only a handful of PC games use 'physical DLC' and are defunct e.g. Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure. Batteries Not Included
Singleplayer only Table for One (Standalone Single Player)

Perspective

A game can have multiple perspectives.

Control

Pacing

Genres

Renamed MobyGames 'Gameplay' into 'Genres'.
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Category Definition Examples Notes

Sports subcategories

Vehicle subcategories

Sports subcategories
PCGW MobyGames Definition to be modified Notes Examples
Industrial Agricultural / industrial Games that prominently feature agricultural / industrial vehicles controlled directly in a simulation.
Automobile Automobile These games allow the player to take control of an automobile (both driving and racing it) or otherwise focus on automobiles even if they are not driven.
Bicycle Bike / Bicycling These games allow the player to take control of a non-motorized bike to explore or race, or allow the player to manage a bike racing team. Overlap with cycling category?
Bus Bus These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus on buses. This includes both racing, simulation driving or any managerial game focusing on buses.
Flight Flight / aviation These games allow the player to take control of an aircraft (both flight and combat) or otherwise focus on aircrafts or aviation. Helicopters have their own genre where Flight/Aviation is implied. This genre also covers hot air balloons, blimps, zeppelins, gliders, hang-gliders and similar ones.
Helicopter Helicopter These games allow the player to take control of a helicopter (both flight and battle) or otherwise focus on helicopters.
Hovercraft Hovercraft These games allow the player to take control of a hovercraft, a hybrid craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces. This also includes futuristic crafts that hover above the ground (e.g. WipEout or F-Zero). Hovercraft games do not have the genres Flight/Aviation or Naval/Watercraft.
Robot Mecha / giant robot These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus on robots or machines controlled by people. These machines vary great in size and shape, but are distinguished from other vehicles by their humanoid or biomorphic appearance.
Motorcycle Motorcycle These games allow the player to take control of a motorcycle, dirtbike or similar vehicle or otherwise focus on motorcycles. Ride, Motocross Madness
Naval/watercraft Naval / watercraft These games allow the player to take control of a boat, ship or other type of watercraft, or otherwise focus on watercraft or naval combat or navigation. Hovercrafts are considered a separate genre.
Off-roading Off-roading These games allow the player to participate in or otherwise focus on off-road racing/driving.
Self-propelled artillery Self-propelled artillery These games allow the player to take control of a self-propelled artillery or otherwise focus on self-propelled or mobile artillery.
Space flight Space flight These games allow the player to take control of spacecraft or otherwise focus on spacecrafts. Elite: Dangerous
Street racing Street racing Games which revolve around the practice of street racing, i.e. racing of motor vehicles on a public road. This practice is mostly illegal in real life, and many games depict it as an underground, illicit affair (and may feature themes such as dodging regular traffic or avoiding police), but this is not necessary for inclusion in the group. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Tank Tank Gameplay featuring tanks whether they are fictional or based on reality.
Track racing Track racing These games allow the player to participate in or otherwise focus on racing/driving on racing tracks. This does not need to be a real race track, but it needs to be clear the environment has been fenced off or designed in such a way that a track is created, regardless of the surface or the setting. Racing games that take place in open environments where all obstacles or routes are natural, without human intervention to create a track (e.g. Outrun), do not receive this genre. Invisible barriers also do not count as a way to create a track. In order to receive this genre, the majority of the racing needs to take place on a track.
Train Train These games allow the player to take control of a train or otherwise focus on trains.
Transport Transport These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus transporting people or cargo using vehicles.
Truck Truck These games allow the player to take control of or otherwise focus on trucks. This includes racing, but also transport.

Theme

Setting
PCGW MobyGames Definition to be modified Notes Examples
Antarctica (none) The Thing
Africa Africa
Asia Asia
Oceania Oceania
Europe Europe
North America North America
South America (none)
Middle East Middle East
China China (Ancient / Imperial)
Classical Classical antiquity Ancient Greek and Roman, or use significant visual styles or themes from this period.
Cold War Cold War The Operative: No One Lives Forever, Twilight Struggle
Contemporary Contemporary
Cyberpunk Cyberpunk / dark sci-fi
Egypt Egypt (Ancient) Assassin's Creed Origins
Fantasy Fantasy
Historical Historical events
Industrial Age Industrial Age
Interwar Interwar Setting in the periods between 1918-1939, excluding games mainly set in World War I or World War II.
Japan Japan (Ancient/Classical/Medieval)
Medieval Medieval Chivalry: Medieval Warfare
Prehistoric Prehistoric
Post-apocalyptic Post-apocalyptic Fallout
Pre-Columbian Americas Pre-Columbian Americas
Sci-fi Sci-fi / futuristic
Piracy Sea pirates / Caribbean Sea pirates or taking place in the Caribbean. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
Space (none) Star Citizen
Steampunk Steampunk Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura
Western Western Red Dead Redemption 2
World War I World War I Battlefield 1
World War II World War II Call of Duty

Art styles

PCGW MobyGames Definition to be modified Notes Examples
Anime Anime / manga Using an anime art style, including manga and hentai. Attack on Titan
Cartoon Sonic the Hedgehog
Comic book (none) Comix Zone (2010)
Cel-shaded (none) Wikipedia list XIII. Crackdown 3
FMV Full Motion Video (FMV) Games in which most of the game is presented as full motion video (FMV) or other forms of animations as well as live action. Many of these games are interactive movies where the player can from time to time choose a path to take with minimal or timed input. It also covers games where most of the game content is shown through full motion video. This art style refers to the gameplay content, not the cut-scenes. Dragon's Lair Trilogy
Live action Live action Games where a large part of the interactive gameplay makes use of live action scenes. This is an art style for videography that uses real actors in footage shot with cameras. It can be complemented with CGI, but the actors themselves are not animated. This art style is not related to the use of motion capture to animate characters. Digitised characters also do not apply. The live action scenes need to be part of the interactive gameplay. Games that use live action scenes exclusively for static cut-scenes use the game group Live action cut-scenes instead. A large amount of games with Live action as an art style for the interactive gameplay carry the art style Full Motion Video in addition. It is also used for Chromakey recordings with actors against a video backdrop or an animated background, as long as the actors are part of interactive gameplay sequences.
Video backdrop Video backdrop Games where the interactive gameplay largely or entirely takes place against a backdrop with recorded footage. The footage can be edited or enhanced, but it needs to have been recorded with cameras. These games then have other elements in the foreground, either animated characters, vehicles or other elements, or live action actors brought into the game using chromakey.

This genre is not to be used for titles where in interactive parts both the actors and the environment are filmed together. It also does not apply to games where the video backdrop is only used for cut-scenes and not the gameplay itself.

Vector art
Pixel art
Pre-rendered graphics Myst
Realistic
Stylized [1]
Abstract
Digitized [2]

Modes

Simply defines singleplayer or multiplayer, granularity will be provided by the Network table.
Template:Taxonomy rowTemplate:Taxonomy row
Category Definition Examples Notes
Unused
PCGW MobyGames Definition to be modified Notes Examples
Local multiplayer Defined by Property:Local play modes.
Online only Only playable online. Defined by {{DRM}} by Property:Always online. Diablo III
Online multiplayer Defined by Property:Online play and Property:Online play modes.
LAN Defined by Property:LAN play modes.
Co-op Value within Property:Online play modes Property:LAN play modes Property:Local play modes.
Versus Value within Property:Online play modes Property:LAN play modes Property:Local play modes.
Asynchronous Defined by Property:Asynchronous multiplayer.
Hotseat Defined by Property:Local play modes.
Splitscreen

References